US1155956A

US1155956A - Machine for applying postage-stamps to letters.

Info

Publication number: US1155956A
Application number: US71668512A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arthur R Paulson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1912-08-23
Filing date: 1912-08-23
Publication date: 1915-10-05
Anticipated expiration: 1932-10-05

Description

A. R. PAULSON.-

MACHINE FOR APPLYING POSTAGE STAMPS T0 LETTERS.

5 SHEETS-SHEET I.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.Z3, 1912. 1,155,956. Patented Oct. 5,1915.

COLUMBIA PLANomzAgH COuWASmM-TON, DJ.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-23, I912.

Patented Oct. 5,

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

R a, I mh E N i, v I a wg Z T. a a. I a m I i/ -I v D/ I A N W NA m. f I w I m I &

I xilmm w mw W COLUMNA PLANOGRAPH CO., WASHINGTON D C A. R. PAULSON.

MACHINE FOR APPLYING POSTAGE STAMPS T0 LETTERS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-23. 1912.

1,155,956. Patented Oct. 5,1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3- COLUMBIA PLANOCIMPH 60., wAsl-HNATA'OFI D. c.

A. R. PAULSON.

MACHINE FOR APPLYING POSTAGE STAMPS T0 LETTERS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-23, 1912.

1,155,956, I Patented Oct. 5, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

Winn; QII

Igggggmuga: III I mmm mm m "It ARTHUR- n. rAULsoN, or CLARKFIELD', MINNESOTA.

MACHINE ron APPLYING Pos'rAGn-s'rAMrs TO LETTERS.

Speeii cation of Letters Patent.

PatentedOct. 5, 1915.

Application filed August 23, 1912 Serial No. 716,685.

the letters in bulk and for automatically feeding one letter at a time into position to' be moistened and to receivethe postage stamp which is subsequently applied, to the moistened spot.

The invention further contemplates a carrier upon which is placed a sheet ofpostage stamps, said carrier being mounted upon a carriage and movable thereon to bring a row of postage stamps in position to be successively applied to letters in rotation.

The invention also provides novel actuat-v ing means for moving the carriage forward step-bv-step to'bring the postage stamps in proper position for application to the letters, said mechanism embodying elements for returning the carriage quickly to v the starting or first position after the last stamp of a row has been applied, said mechanism being automatic in operation, thereby .pre-

renting loss oftime and enabling the work to liee vpeditiously performed.

The invention moreoverembodies unique means for engaging the stamp sheet to hold he same upon the stamp guide during the time that the stamp carrier returning to.

a normal position after advancing the stamp sheet to bring the next row of stamps into position to be applied in the further operation of the machine, the stamp sheet being released when the stamp carrier has returned to its initial position upon the car riage. i i

' A further purpose of the invention is the provision of a single device for cutting the postage. stamps from the stamp sheet and at the same time pressing such stamps upon the letters. k

The invention furthermore contemplates a peculiar moistener and actuatingmeans therefor for dampening the envelop preliminary to receiving the postage stamps which are subsequently affixed thereto in a cont nuous operation of the machine.

The invention'has for its further purpose to devise novel actuating means properly timed for operating the different parts at predetermined stages to insure positive, certain and effective action sothat the machine as a whole may be depended upon for carrying out the purpose forwhichH-itis constructed. 4 Y

The invention consists 'of the novelfeatures, details of construction and combination of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the appended claims. I I

Referring to the drawings forming a part of the specification,- Figure 1' is a top; plan view of a postage stamp affixing chine constructed in accordance with and:

embodying essential features of the inven tion. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on, the line 2+2 of Fig. 1, looklng in the direction Fig. 3 is a sectional detail of the arrows. on the line 33 of Fig. 1, viewed in the direction of the arrows. Fig. at is a transverse section of the 'machineon the line al of Fig. 1, looking to the right, as designated by the arrow; view of .the machine, the carriage, the hopper and the envelop feeding devices being omitted to show more clearly the operating mechanism for the several parts. Fig. 5 1

a detail view of the cams, showing their rel Fig. 5' is a top plan ative position when the parts are in the position illustrated in Fig. 5; Fig. .6 is a top plan view of a port1on of the operating mechanism, showing the relation of the parts when an envelop 1s in position to receive ajstamp. Fig. 6 is a detall View,

showing the relation of the cams when the parts are in the position substantially as shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 7 isa top plan View of the operating mechanism, showing the relation of the parts after thestamp has been applied to the envelop and the parts tripped to return the carriage to the initial or starting position, Fig; Wis a detail view indicating the relationofthe cams when the partsare in the position substantially as in dicated in Fig.7, Fig. 8 is a detail plan view of the operating -mechanism, showing the relation of the parts after the carriage has been returned to the starting position and prior to tripping the returning mecha;

nism to throw the same out of action. Fig; 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, showing the relation of the parts after the carriage returning mechanism has been thrown out of operation. Fig. 9 is a detail view, showing the relative position of the cams when the parts are in the position indicated in Fig. 9. Fig. 10 is a detail end view of the carriage, a part of the track and the operating mech anism associated therewith. Fig. 11 is a detail view of parts of the carriage and the pawl for preventing backward movement thereof and showing part of the holder for securing the stamp sheet upon the carrier.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description, and indicated in all the views of the drawings, by the same reference characters.

The operating parts of the machine are suitably mounted, a stand being illustrated for this purpose and comprising a table 1 and legs 2. A track 3 is mounted upon standards 4:, secured at their lower ends to the table 1, and supports the stamp carriage 5 and stamp carrier 6. The stamp carriage has an intermittent movement imparted thereto to bring the postage stamps of a row in position to be applied to the letters in rotation. The stamp carrier receives a sheet 7 of postage stamps and is moved to bring a row of postage stamps in position said stamp carrier being moved at such times only as is necessary'to advance the stamp sheet after the last stamp of a row has been used.

The stamp carrier 6 preferably consists of a plate and the stamp sheet 7 is placed thereon and held lightly by means of spring actuated strips 8. The strips 8 are pressed upon the stamp sheet by means of springs 9, which are mounted upon pins 10, the same being guided in their movements by brackets 11 rising from the edges of the stamp carrier The outer rail of the track is provided with ratchet teeth 12 which are adapted to be engaged by means of a pawl 13 to hold the stamp carriage against backward movement when the operating pawl is returning to an operative position. A lever 14 pivoted between its ends to a side of the carriage 5 has its outer end connected by means of a rod 15 with the pawl. 13. Pressure by hand upon the inner end of the le ver 13 disengages the pawl 13 from the ratchet teeth 12, thereby admitting of the carriage being returned to a starting position upon further operation of the machine. Then the stamp carriage is at the starting or normal position it is held in place by means of a pawl 16 engaging a stop 3 of a member of the track 3. A lever 17 pivoted between its ends to the carirage 5 has one end arranged to engage under the pawl 16 and its opposite end to be pressed upon by means of a lever 18. A rod 19 connects the lever 18 with a lever 20, which is pivoted to the carriage adjacent the handle 21. Pressure by hand upon the lever 20 disengages the pawl 16 from the track so that operation of the machine will move the carriage forward so. as to bring the next postage stamp in position to be applied to the letter or envelop to be stamped.

A rack bar 22 is arranged belowthe stamp carriage and has connection at its ends therewith and comprises a number of teeth corresponding with the rows of postage stamps contained in. the stamp sheet. The carriage 5 is moved. forward by means of the rack bar 22 a distance to bring the next postage stamp in position to be applied. A pawl 23 is arranged to engage the teeth of the rack bar 22 and is pivotally connected to an arm 24 which is pivoted at its lower end to a stud rising from the table 1. The pawl 23 is of elbow form, its member 25 being pendent and having a spring 26 connected thereto, the opposite end of said spring being at tached to a convenient part of the machine. The spring 26 normally holds the pawl in engagement with the teeth of the rack bar 22. The pivoted arm is adapted to be engaged by means of a cam 27 splined upon the operating shaft 28. At each complete revolution of the shaft 28 the stamp carriage 5 is moved forward the distance of a postage stamp by the operation of the cam 2?, arms 24-, pawl 23 and rack bar 22. After the carriage has reached the limit of its forward movement the cam 27 is shifted on the shaft 28, thereby admitting of the carriage being returned to a normal or starting position. A rod 29 engages the pawl 23 and passes through the upper end of a bar 30, which has its lower end pivotally connected to one arm of a bell crank 31 pivoted to a stud attached to the table 1. The bar 30 is attached to a link 32 having pivotal. connection at its outer end with a bracket 33 extending from the table 1. After the carriage has reached the limit of its forward movement the outer end of the rod 29 is depressed, thereby lifting the pawl 23 so as to clear the teeth of the rack bar 22. The shaft 28 is mounted in suitable bearings 33 and is adapted to be operated by hand and for this purpose is supplied with a crank 3.4:. Two

cams

27 and 35 are mounted upon the shaft 28, the cam 27 being splined thereto and the cam 35' being fixed. A crank 36 is carried by the shaft 28 and operates the moistening and the envelop feeding mechanisms. A sleeve 27'fiX8d thereto and is splined to the shaft 28. A shipper lever 38, pivoted to a post at 39, engages the sleeve 37 and moves the same upon the shaft 28. A '1' lever 40 pivoted at 4-1 to a post has one arm connected with the shipper lever 38. A second arm of the lever 40 has a pin 42 adapted to enter a slot 43 formed in one end of a bar 44:, which is pivotally connected at its opposite end to a lever 45 pivotally 37 has the cam mounted upon the post 39. The other arm of the lever 40 is adapted to be engaged by means of a catch 46 which is pivoted to a post 47. The bar 44 has a notch 48 in communication with the slot 43 and adapted to receive the pin 42. This mechanism serves to shift the sleeve 37 and cam 27 on the shaft 28 into or out of the path of the arm 24. When the stamp carriage is returning to the starting or normal position after the last stamp of a row has been applied the cam 27 is moved so as to clear the arm 24, there by preventing operation of the feed pawl 23.

A link 49 connects the, free end of the lever with an arm 50, which is pivoted at 51 to a stud applied to the table 1, said arm being arranged to be engaged by the cam 35. A spring 52 connected at one end to a part 01' the framework of the machine has its opposite end connected to the lever 45 and exerts a force thereon to hold the arm 50 in engagement with the cam. 85. A spring exerts a pulling force upon the end of the slotted link 44 provided with the pin 42, thereby holding the latter in the slot 48. So long as the bar 44 occupies the position shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 it is free to reciprocate without imparting any movement to the lever 40, but as soon as thebar 44 is released it moves into the position shown 1'? Fig. 9, thereby causing the pin 42 to enter the notch 48, whereby upon the next movement of the bar 44 the lever 40 is moved to throw the cam 27 in position to engage the arm 24 so as to advance the stamp carriage to bring the stamps in position to be applied to the envelops or letters. The normal position of the parts is indicated most clearly in Fig. 6, the catch 46 engaging: the free arm of the lever 40 and holding the cam 27 in operative position.

An elbow lever 54, pivoted upon the post 39, has one end bent to provide a stop to engage an edge of the bar 44 to prevent the notch 48 thereof engaging the pin 42. A

link connects one arm of the elbow lever 54 with one arm of a lever 56, the opposite arm of said lever being pivoted to a bar 57, which is mounted in suitable guides 58 to receive a longitudinal movement. A spring 59 normally exerts a pulling force upon the end of the lever 56'having the bar 57 attached thereto so as to press the latter forwardly. A catch 60 is piveted at one end to the post or support of the lever 56 and is provided with a downward projection 60' which is adapted to engage a stop 61 formed by notching the bar 57 so as to hold the latter against the tension of the spring 59 and out of the path of the cam 27. A trip lever 62 pivoted to a post 63 has one member in contact with the catch 60, its other member being pivoted to a bar 64 having its free end bent to provide'a stop 65, which is arranged in the path of a trip upon the its movements by'a guide 66 projecting up wardly from the table 1. The trip for en gaging the stop is indicated at 67 and consists-of a pin projecting laterally from a lever 68 pivoted at 69 to a lug 70 pendent from the carriage 5. A link 71 connects the upper end of the lever 68 with an arm 72, hich is pivoted at its upper end to the carriage A connection 73 is interposed between the arm 72 and one end of a lever 74 pivoted at 75 to the carriage, the opposite end of said lever having connection at 6 with the stamp" carrier 6 for moving the same forward to advance the stamp sheet. A spring 76 returns the stamp carrier to normal position after the stamp sheet has been advanced.

The means for returning the stamp car; riage to normal or starting position embody an arm 77, which is loose upon the shaft 28. A link 78 connects the arm 77 with a pendent portion 79 of the carriage. A half clutch 80 is secured to the shaft 28 andis adapted to engage a half clutch 81 formed with the arm 77. The arm 77 is loose upon the shaft 28 and rotates therewith only at such times when the carriage is to be returned to a starting or normal position. An expansible helical spring82 is mounted upon the shaft 28 between a set collar 83 and a loose collar 84. When the spring 82 is not held in restraint it forces the collarv 84 against the arm 77 and presses the teeth of the half clutch 81 into engagementwith the teeth of the half clutch 80, thereby causing the arm 77 to partially rotate,-thereby returning the stamp carriage to its first posi tion. A shipper lever 85 pivoted between its ends is arranged to have one end engage the l collar 84 and itsopposite end arranged to be engaged by a lever 86, which is pivoted at 87. A bar 88 connects the free end of the bell crank 86 with one arm of a bell crank 89,

pivoted at 90. 'A bar 91 connects the opposite end of the bell crank 89 with one arm of a bell crank 92, pivoted at 93. A bar 94 con nects the other arm of the bell crank 92 with the arm of the T lever 40 having the pin 42.

WVhen the spring 82 is compressed the arm 77 remains, inactive during the operation of,

the machine to feed the envelope and to aflix the postage stamps thereto. The spring 82 is held compressed by means of the catch 46- engaging the free arm of the lever 40. When the catch 46 is tripped so as to release the lever 40 the spring 82 expands and,

throws the half clutch of the arm 77 into engagement with the half clutch 80 whereby in the continued operation of the machinethe carriage 1s returned to starting position;

&

As the stamp carriage reaches the limit of its return movement the trip 67 is brought in close proximity to the stop 65 and the arm 72 is brought in position to be engaged by the cam 27, with the result that in the continued rotation of the shaft 28 the cam 27 operates the arm 72 and the lever 68, thereby bringing the trip 67 against the stop 65 to move the bar 6% so as to press the catch 60 away from the bar 57, which latter is moved forward by the spring 59, which brings its inner end in position to be engaged by the arm 24 when next operated by the cam 27 VJhen the bar 57 is moved forward by the spring 59 the lever 51 is moved into the position indicated in Fig. 9, the stop at its tree end being carried away from the bar 14, which latter is moved by the spring 53 to bring the notch 418 in position to receive the pin 12 so as to form an interlocking connection between the bar 415% and the lever 40. As the shaft 28 continues to turn the cam engages the arm and moves the lever 15, bar 1% and lever 40, thereby returning the cam 27 into its first or working position when it operates the arm 24 and at the same time presses the bar 57 outward against the tension of the spring 59, said bar being heldin its outward position by the catch 60 entering the notch 61. As the bar 57 moves outward the lever 54; is operated to bring the stop at its free end into engagement with the bar 14, which is moved to cause the notch 18 to clear the pin 42 so that the arm 50 in' its further movements may not operate the lever to. Simultaneously with the operation of the lever 10 to return the cam 27 to normal position the le ver 86 is operated, thereby moving the shipper lever to compress the spring 82 and to ward in the next operation of the cam 27.

The guide for the postage stamps is indicated at 97 and consists of a bar at one side of the track and parallel therewith, the upper side being in the plane of the stamp carrier so that when the latter is moved a portion of the stamp sheet 7 corresponding to row of postage stamps is projected over the guide 97 and is supported thereby. A stamp holder 98 is located along the outer edge of the stamp guide and is depressed to grip the projecting edge of the stamp sheet after the same has been received upon the stamp guide, thereby retaining the stamp sheet during the time that the stamp carrier holder 98 is operated to grip the stamp sheet a moment after the stamp carriage has been returned to its first position and after the stamp carrier has been moved to advance the stamp sheet and just prior to the return of the stamp carrier to its first position. The stamp holder 98 consists of a bar mounted to move vertically in guides 99 located at the outer edge of the stamp guide. A bell crank 100 has its horizontal arm pivoted to the stamp holder 98 andits vertical arm pivoted to a bar or rod 101, which in turn is connected to one end of a lever 102 pivoted upon an end of the stamp guide. An upright lever 103 has its upper end engaging the inner end of the lever 102, the lower end of said lever 103 having a pin and slot connection with a rod or bar 104 attached to the arm 50. A spring 105 connected with the lower end of the lever 103 exerts a force normally tending to press the stamp holder 98 upon the stamp sheet. A catch 106 has one end arranged to engage a notch formed in an edge of the connection 101, thereby holding the part 98 elevated against the tension of the spring 105. The catch 106 is pivoted at 107 and a spring 108 is arranged to press one end of the catch outwardly and its opposite end inwardly into engagement with the connection 101. A stop 109 is attached at one end to the catch 106 and overhangs the stamp holder 98 and has an end portion arranged to be struck by the angular portion 11 of the brackets 11 when the stamp carrier is advanced, thereby releasing the catch 106 so that the spring 105 may come into play to operate the stamp holder 98 to grip the row of stamps at the edge portion of the stamp sheet extending over the stamp guide 97. As the stamp car- 4 rier returns to its normal position the stop 109 being relieved of pressure permits the catch 106 under the action of the spring 108 to come into engagement with the connection 101 so that the next time the arm 50 is l moved and operates the lever 103 to elevate the stamp holder 98 the latter is held raised by the catch 106. The pin and slot connection between the lever 103 and connection 104 admits of said connection moving with out operating the lever 103 after the same has been moved to raise the stamp holder 98 and the latter is held elevated by means of the catch 106.

The stamp cutter and presser is indicated A at 110 and operates through an opening formed in one end of the stamp guide. The part 110 is bent between its .ends and has an arm 111 pendent therefrom which is connected to a bar or rod 112 which is pivoted at is returned to normal position. The stamp beneath the stamp guide and the part 110 operates through the opening of the stamp guide to separate a stamp from the stamp sheet and at the same time press it upon the moistened spot of the envelop.

The envelop or letters to be stamped are designated by the numeral 114: and are arranged in a pile in a hopper at one end of a guideway. The hopper comprises a fixed wall 116 and an adjustable wall 115 which is movable vertically as well as toward or away from'the 'wall 115, thereby adapting the hopper to envelops or letters of different sizes. A bar 117 extends horizontally from the adjustable wall 116 and is movable in an extension 118 at the upper end of the wall 115. Set screws 119 threaded into the extension 118 engage the bar 117 to move the same so as to raise or lower the Wall 116 to regulate the space beneath the lower edge of said wall 116 and the guideway to suit the thickness of the envelops or letters to be delivered through such space. A follower 120 rests upon the pile of letters or envelops to insure proper feed thereof. The bar 117 is adapted to tilt upon a fulcrum 121' at the lower side of the opening in the extension 118 through which the bar 117 passes.

The guideway for the letters or envelops is shown at 122. Feed bars123 are mounted in the guideways and are provided at intervals in their length with pins 124:, which are slightly inclined so as to ride beneath the envelops or letters when the feeder is returning to a starting position and to engage with the lowermost envelop or letter and advance the same along the guideway on the forward movement of the feed bars. The letters or envelops are fed by stages. The first movement withdraws anenvelop from the bottom of the pile and places it in position to be moistened. The next movement advances the envelop to a position to receive the postage stamp. The third movement delivers the stamped envelop from the machine. The envelops pass beneath a bar 125 and under the edge of a strip 126. The bar 125 is arranged at one side of the guideway and the strip 126 at the opposite side of said guideway. A deflector 127 engages the advancing edge of an envelop as the same is discharged from the hopper so as to direct the same under the strip 126. A pivoted stop 128 is located at one side of the guideway and serves the double purpose of preventing the envelop from following the feeder on its return stroke and also to properly position the envelop to receive the moisture preliminaryv to the application of the postage stamp. Ejectors 129 are attached to the ends of the feed bars 123 and their extremities terminate in hooks 130, which engage the stamped envelop and effect delivery thereof from the machine. When the machine is in operation the feeder moves three envelops at a time, one from the hopper into position to be moistened, one from the moistener into position to receive the postage stamp and one from the stamp position clear of the machine. feeding mechanism is operated from the shaft 28 by means of the crank 36. A bar such time the feeding mechanism remains inactive so as not to advance an envelop The envelop without having a postage stamp applied,

thereto. This result may be accomplished in different ways and as shown a bar 13 1 connects the bar 131 with the crank 36, the latter being loose upon the shaft 28 and having teethto engage with matching teeth on a sleeve 135 splined to the shaft 28 and normally pressed outwardly into clutched engagement with the crank 36 by means of a spring 136. A shipper lever 137 engages the sleeve or clutch member 135 and a rod 138 connects said lever with a'bell crank 139, the latter being connected to the bar 57 by means of a pin 148 positioned within the hook-like portion 149 of the bar 57. I When the'bar 57 moves inward the bell crank 139 is operated to move the lever 137 and release the crank 36, but whensaid bar 57 is pressed outward the lever 137 is free to'move under the action of the spring 136 so as to bring the crank 36 into clutched engagement with the shaft 38. I w

The envelop moistener embodies'a pan 140 and a dampener or pad 141. The pan 1 10 is located at one side of the letter or envelop.

guideway and near the hopper. The dampener or pad 141 is pivoted intermediate of its ends to an arm 1 12, which in turn is connected to a slide bar 1 13 arranged to m ve in suitable guides. slide bar 143 with one arm of a 'bell crank 145,which is pivoted to an arm 1416 project-' ing from the table 1. A link 146 connects the bell crank with the crank 36 so that in the operation of the latter the moistener is operated to dampen the envelop at the proper time and preliminary tothe' affixingj of the postage stamp thereto. I From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawof the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art towhich the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I now consider to be the best embodiment A link 14:4 connects the ,ings, the advantages of theconstruction and thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

VVhat I claim is 1. In a machine of the character set forth and in combination with a stamp affixing mechanism, a carriage, a carrier mounted upon said carriage and adapted to receive a sheet of stamps, means for moving the carriage intermittently, means for preventing backward movement of the carriage during the return of the first mentioned means, means for releasing the carriage after a row of stamps have been used, and other means for moving the carrier laterally to bring the neXt row of stamps in position to be applied.

2. In a machine of the character specified, the combination of a track provided with teeth, a carriage mounted upon said track, feeding mechanism for advancing the car-. riage intermittently, a pawl movable with the carriage and adapted to engage the teeth of the track to prevent backward movement of the carriage during the return of the feeding mechanism to normal position, a carrier mounted upon the carriage and adapted to receive a sheet of stamps, means for moving said carrier laterally to bring the next row of stamps in position to be applied, and means connected with the carria e to effect disengagement of the pawl to admit return of the carriage to normal position.

3. In a machine of the character specified, the combination of a carriage, a rack bar connected with said carriage, a pawl arranged to engage the teeth of the rack .bar, a carrier mounted upon said carriage and adapted to receive a sheet of stamps, means for imparting intermittent movement of the pawl for advancing the carriage step by step, a rod engaging such pawl, a guide adapted to cooperate with said rod, means for imparting lateral movement to the carrier to bring the next row of stamps in position to be applied, and means for moving the guide to throw the pawl clear of the rack bar to admit of the carriage returning to normal position.

a. In a machine of the character specified, the combination of a carriage, a rack bar connected with said carriage a pivoted arm, a pawl connected with the pivoted arm and adapted to engage the teeth of the rack bar, means for imparting an oscillatory movement to the pivoted arm, a rod having con nection with the pawl, a guide engaging said rod, a carrier mounted upon said can riage, and adapted to receive a sheet of stamps, means for moving said carrier laterally to bring the neXt row of stamps in position to be applied, and means for moving said guide to release said pawl from the rack bar to admit of returning the carriage to normal position.

5. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a carriage, a rack bar having connection with said carriage, a pawl engaging the teeth of the rack bar, an arm having the pawl pivotally connected thereto, an operating shaft, a cam splined to the operating shaft and arranged to impart oscillatory movement to said arm, means for moving the cam on the operating shaft into and out of the plane of the oscillatory arm, a carrier mounted upon said carriage and adapted to receive a sheet of stamps, and means for moving said carrier laterally to bring the row of stamps in position to be applied.

6. In a machine of the character specified and in combination with the stamp aflixing mechanism, a stamp carriage, feeding mechanism for advancing the stamp carriage, a pawl mounted upon the carriage and adapt ed to engage a stop to hold such ca "riage in normal position, a lever mounted upon the carriage and adapted to engage the said pawl, a linger-piece, and connecting means between such finger-piece and lever to ad-- mit of release of the pawl to admit of forward movement of the carriage.

7. In a machine of the character specified the combination of stamp a'lhxing mechanism, a stamp carriage, a feeding mechanism for advancing the stamp carriage, means brought into action by said carriage for throwing the feeding mechanism out of action, means for returning the carriage to normal position and brought into play by the movement of the carriage, and other means brought into operation by the car riage for throwing the feeding mechanism into action when the carriage has returned to normal position.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR R. PAULSON.

Witnesses:

H. H. GALBRAITH, C. F. LIEBERG.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. 0.